Heat regulator for ovens and the like



Dec. 26, 1933. w. w. SACKETT 1,941,021

HEAT REGULATOR FOR OVENS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 2, 1932 07 GT 1 005000Z0\ 4/ fl! l l 67 73 PZQO? a J53 Q: :9

22 9 1 1 Jade/260m H 1 @iz/"raz 7% Sac/{ eti Gig 5 Patented Dec. 26, 1933 PATENT OFFICE HEAT REGULATOR, FOR OVENS AND THE LIKE Warren W. Sackett, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Milwaukee Gas Specialty Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 2, 1932. Serial No. 584,344

24 Claims. (Cl. 236-15) My invention relates to heat regulators for gas ovens and the like, and contemplates an improvement which will enable disposition of the selecting device at the front of the range, for example, and insertion of the thermal sensitive device through a wall of the oven which is disposed at an angle to the front of the range as, for example, through a side wall of the oven.

In the use of gas ranges it sometimes is not desirable to dispose the selecting dial in proximity to the oven wall through which the thermal sensitive device is inserted as, for example,.at the outer end of the selecting spindle and coaxial therewith. It also frequently is desirable to dispose the axis of the selecting dial at right angles or at some other angle with respect to the axis of the element which cooperates with the thermal sensitive device, or substantially parallel the plane of the oven wall through which the thermal sensitive device is inserted.

My present invention provides a regulating device in which the axis of the dial may be positioned generally. normal to the axis of the spindle which cooperates with the thermal sensitive device, or substantially parallel the plane of the oven wall through which the thermal sensitive device is inserted. This enables passing the thermal sensitive device of the regulator through a side wall of the oven and into position indicative of the prevailing temperature within the oven, and at the same time enables disposition of the selecting dial in proximity to the front of the range for access therefrom.

My invention further provides a device the construction of which is of universal character in that the selecting dial may be disposed at the front of the range with the thermal sensitive device arranged in different positions.

mal sensitive device is inserted'through the left hand wall of a right hand oven, that is, an oven which is disposedto the right hand side of the top burners of the range, and the selecting dial mechanism is swingably mounted upon the housing for the thermal sensitive device so that this device may be inserted through the right hand outer wall of a left hand oven and the selecting dial mechanism swung through substantially 180 degrees and into position adjacent the front of the range. Other degrees of angular movement than that illustrated are contemplated and a plurality of different angular positions may be provided to meet a plurality of different requirements.

The device of my present invention comprises a selecting device, a thermal sensitive device and a control device, and these devices may be assembled in pre-correlated and installed as a unitary assembly.

I have referred to passing the thermal sensitive device of the regulator through the side wall of In the illustrated embodiment ofthe invention the therthe oven and to positioning the selecting dial adjacent the front of the range, and I shall describe hereinafter in connection with the drawing a device so installed, but it is to be understood that the device is not limited to this particular use or this particular manner of installation but may be applied as suitable or desired. 4

In order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and operating a device in accordance with my present'invention, I shall now describe in connection withthe accompanying drawing one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a sectional view showingone em bodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1, with parts of the device shown in elevation; and Figure 3 is a sectional view of another'e'mbodiment of my novel'control device. I 3

Referring now in more detailto'the drawing, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally the outer or facing wall of an oven or "a front control therefor. This oven has the portion 11"constituting the. exterior left hand sidewall of an interior lining or inner wall 13 spaced'from theouter wall 11 and adapted to serve-as an insulating medium for preventing too rapid transmission of heat from the interior of the oven to the outside thereof. The inner wall or liner-13 1s provided with a recessed portion, as indicated at 14, adapted to receive thethermallysensitive portion of my control device." This recess 14 comprises an elongated rectangular portion,- and is adapted to be formed by turning backthe liner wall 13, to form this recessed portion, the space 15 between the outer wall 11 and liner 13 of the oven not communicating with this recessed portion 14.

Another oven or similar chamber isindicated. at 16, although this is merely optional and forms no part, of the presentinvention. Situated between the oven wall 11 and the chamber 16 is my novel oven heat control, which is adapted to be inserted into a cut-out portion 17 of the front wall'or control panel 10.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the regulating device comprises two housings, a valve housing and temperature sensitive supporting means 18 and a selecting mechanism housing supporting the dial 20. The housing 18, as best shown in Figure 2, comprises a valve housing having connection with a fuel inlet 22 and a fuel outlet 23, which communicate by means of suitable tapped openings with the interior of the housing, the inlet 22 communicating with the inlet chamber 24 formed in the housing and the outlet 23 communicating with the outlet chamber 25 formed in the housing. The housing 18 has an inwardly projecting flange portion 26, recessed as at 27 to form a valve seat for a mushroom type of valve 28.

A recessed removable plug member 29 is threaded into the housing 18 as shown, and provides a seat for a spring member 30 adapted to fit around the projecting boss 31 on the valve member 28 and to normally force the valve member into a closed position against the seat 27.

The valve member 28 is provided with a valve stem 32, adapted to project through a bushing 33 threaded into the housing 18. The housing 18 has an upwardly extending portion 34, which is provided with an enlarged portion 350: having a central opening therein for receiving a projecting portion 45 of the housing 19. The upwardly projecting portion 34 of the housing 18 has two outwardly extending web members 35 terminating in projecting shoulders 36. A pivot pin 37 is positioned between the web members 35 and is adapted to act as a fulcrum about which the thermally sensitive element 38 is adapted to rock.

The element 38 is composed of a bi-metallic strip, the two metals having diiferent coeflicients of expansion, and is so constructed that the metal having the greater coeflicient of expansion is positioned on the inner side of the element 38, as indicated at 38a.

The lower portion of the element 38 is adapted to have contact with the valve stem 32 which cooperates or is connected with the valve member 28. The upper portion of the element 38 has a circular opening formed therein which cooperates with a plunger member 40 carried in the housing 19.

It is to be understood, however, that any suitable element capable of conforming to temperature changes might be used in place of element 38, and that the precise construction might be varied within the scope of my invention.

The housing 18 is adapted to be secured in a cut out portion 39 of the wall 11. Screws 41 are adapted to be threaded into the housing and to suitably secure the housing to the oven wall, as shown in Figure 2.

A by-pass 42 is provided in the flange portion .26 of the valve housing, and provides a passage between the inlet chamber 24 and the outlet chamber 25 exclusive of the valve opening. The by-pass is controlled by means of an adjusting screw 43 having a tapered end 44 adapted to control the effective area of the by-pass. The screw 43 is suitably threaded into the housing 18 and is adapted to be adjusted therein to limit the area of the by-pass 42. In the operation of devices such as are contemplated by the present invention, it is desirable to have a small by-pass opening exclusive of the valve opening, for the purpose of providing fuel for a burner maintenance flame, the area of the by-pass being adjusted so as to allow only a predetermined minimum quantity of fuel to pass therethrough to assure ignition of the burner whenever the main control valve therefor is opened. When the main control valve leading to the oven burner is opened, gas flows through the inlet 22 to the valve housing, and passes through the by-pass 42 to the outlet 23. A pilot flame, or other suitable ignition means, ignites the burner in the oven, and a relatively small flame is produced at the burner.

The housing 18 is preferably cast of a copper or brass alloy, and the inlet and outlet openi sfl are 2'7, and also permits 012190.958 to the interior of the valve.

The housing 19, which supports the regulatingmeans for determining the temperature desired in the oven, is cast of a suitable alloy such as aluminum or the like, and has a portion 45 adapted to project through the central opening in the portion 35a of the housing 34. The portion 45 is provided at its end with suitable threads and a lock nut 46 is adapted to engage these threads for securing the housing 19 in position with respect to the housing 18. This novel construction permits of the housing 19 to project in any angular direction with respect to the portion 35a of the housing 18, and permits the use of my novel oven control on either a right or left hand oven. A second portion 19a of the housing 19 extends at right angles to the projecting portion 45 of the housing, and is adapted to have a central opening formed therein for receiving a control screw or stem 47. The housing 19 is slotted, as indicated at 48, and the two projecting web portions 49 are adapted to receive a pivot pin 50. This pin 50 has a T-shaped bell crank 51 positioned thereon. One arm 51a of the rocker arm is adapted to have abutting contact with the plunger 40 mounted in the housing 45.

The plunger 40 has an enlarged head 53 which is tapered and terminates in a projecting stud portion 54 adapted to be inserted into a cooperating hole in the element 38, as previously described.

The other end 51b of the rocker arm has en gagement with the inner end of the control stem 47. The outer end of the control stem 47 is adapted to pass through the dial portion 20 and has an enlarged flange portion 55 against which the dial is adapted to have abutting engagement. Friction washers 56 are positioned on both sides of the dial 20 and a suitable control knob 57 is secured'on the control stem for rotating the dial.

The control knob and washers are adapted to be secured in position around the control stem 4'7 and to be held securely in place by an adjusting screw 58 threaded into the interior of the control stem.

An annular mounting ring or bezel 59 is mounted in the opening 17 formed in the wall of the oven 16. This mounting ring is of slightly larger internal diameter than the dial member 20. and is adapted to be passed over the dial member and associated control knob 57 when it is desired to remove the panel or wall of the oven without removing the heat control. The radially flanged surface 61 of the ring 59 has a suitable indicating projection 60 for cooperation with the the cooperating openings formed in the bezel.-

This looks the ring in position withrespect to the bezel.

It is possible, in the construction of my inven tion, to rotate the dial member independently 0';

the control stem 47 by loosening the adjusting nut 58. This arrangement is provided for the purpose of setting the dial to correspond to the position of the control stem, rotation of the .control stem in turn causing opening or closing of the valve 28. It is possible in the construction shown, to set the control stem at any desired position and by means of the rocker arm 51 and control plunger 40 to open the valve to any desired position.- The oven temperature can then be measured and the dial 20 can be set to correspond therewith, thus providing a means of calibrating the device.

When the device has been properly calibrated, the adjusting screw or nut 58 is tightened causing the control knob 57 to have engagement with the friction washer 56 and in turn with the dial 20 and securing the entire structure against the enlarged portion of the control stem 47, thus assuring that the dial will rotate the control stem with it.

Referring to Figure 3, the embodiment shown in this figure is similar to that described in connection with Figures 1 and 2, but discloses a novel method of arranging the control mechanism. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is adapted to be secured in a housing similar to the housing 18 of Figure 1.

In this embodiment, the thermally responsive element 38 is shown as extending upwardly to the selecting means; A plunger is shown cooperating with the element 38 and has a stud' 66 extending therethrough. A housing 67, similar to the housing 35a of Figure 2, is adapted to support the selecting mechanism. This housing has a slotted portion indicated at 68, which is adapted to extend outwardly from the main portion of the housing. The plunger member 65 has an enlarged threaded portion indicated at 69, and is provided with a key member 70 extend-r ing through the enlarged portion and adapted to project into the slot 68 and to have sliding engagement therewith.

A housing 71 is adapted to pass through the central opening in the housing 67 and is secured to the housing 67 in the usual manner, as by means of lock nuts 72 and 72a. This construction results in the housing 71 being rigidly secured to the housing 67. The housing 71 is of substantially U-shape, and has the projecting portion 73 which, as described, is secured in housing 67 by the lock nuts 72 and 720.. If the adjustable relation is not desired, it is contemplated to form the housing 71 integral with and extending at right angles to the housing 67.

A control stem 74 is adapted to have an indicating dial 75 secured thereon by means of washers 76, control knob 77 and an adjusting nut,78, all as described in connection-with Figure 1. control stem 74 is considerably longer than the control stem 47 of Figure l, and is adapted to be supported in the arms of thehousing 71, as by means of openings therein through which the control stem is adapted to be inserted.

A bevel gear 80 is secured to the control stem 74 by means of a key 81 passing therethrough and is adapted to have cooperating rotation with the control stem.

Positioned at right angles to the bevel gear 80 and projecting through the portion 73 of the housing 71 is an inner sleeve member 82, having the hollow cylindrical opening 83 therein threaded to receive the enlarged portion 69 of the plunger member 65. The outer portion of this sleeve member 83 has a recessed neck portion adapted The to receive a washer 84 in abutting engagement therewith. A bevel gear 85 similar to and cooperating with bevel gear 80 is positioned on the reduced portion of the sleeve member 82 and is suitably secured thereto as by means of pin 86. A recess 87 is provided in the housing 71 and is adapted to contain a spring member 88 which normally forces the bevel gear 85 into coopera- "This in turn rocks the element 38 about its fulcrum 37 which opens the valve and permits an increased quantity of fuel to flow tothe burner. Rotation of the control stem" 74 in'a counterclockwise direction causes the member 65 to be moved inwardly into the sleeve member which prevents closing the valve by the spring 30'.f v

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2', it may be well to describe the method of operation of my device in order to understand more'fully the novelty thereof. In operating my novel oven heat control, it is to be understood that normally the valve 48 is in closed position, the indicator being in a substantially 01f position. When it wardly against the element 38.

The member 38 is adapted to rock about the pivot 37 and has abutting engagement with the stern of the valve 28. The plunger 40 being moved outwardly through the housing 45 causes the element 38 to push inwardly on the-valve stem 32, causing the stem to actuate the valve for opening it against the pressure of the spring 30. This allows fuel to flow from the inlet chamber 24 to the outlet chamber 25 and thence through the conduit 23 to the burner. Depending upon the rotation of the control knob 57, and consequently the rotation of the stem 47, the valve 28 may be opened to any desired position, depending upon the temperature desired within the oven 12. 1

After having once determined the temperature required in the oven and setting the dial at the corresponding position, the valve is opened to allow the quantity of gas necessary to produce thattemper'atureto flow to the burners. Due to the characteristics of the element 38, any increaseof temperature over that desired in the oven will result in expansion of the element 38. Due to the different coemcients of expansion existing between thetwo metals, theelement 38 that tor-which the device is set this lower temperature reacts on the element 88 causing it to 'element 38 reacts to this straighten and force the plunger 32 into a more open position. This allows more gas to flow to the burners and causes the oven to be heated to a higher temperature to maintain the preselected temperature. Thus the element 38 automatically controls and maintains the temperature within the oven, and after the valve has been initially set to the desired position, the element 38 will tend to counteract any over heating or underheating that may occur.

perature within the oven will always be maintained within a very small range of that which is desired.

It is readily apparent that regardless of the angular relation between the housing 19 and the housing 18, the device will function properly, inasmuch as the control transmitting mechanism, consisting of the bell crank shown in Figure l or the bevel gears shown in Figure 3, or any other desired control transmitting means, is capable of functioning regardless of the position of the housing supporting the same. Because of this construction, it is possible to rotate the housing 19 in the portion 35a of the housing 18 to any desired position, depending upon the construction of the stove or oven in which the device is to be installed. For example, in left hand ovens, the housing 19 would be rotated 180 degrees from the position shown in Figure 1, and then would be held in position with respect to the housing 18 by means of the lock nut and the abutting engagement of the bezel 59 and the wall 10, or by its mounting upon the range.

It is to be understood that the fuel supply conduit 22 is connected to a suitable gas manifold or supply pipe and is controlled by the usual type of stem Valve or the like.

After suitable calibration, the device can be regulated so that after positioning the indicating dial at the desired position, the valve 28 will be open slightly farther than is necessary to maintain the desired temperature in the oven, but as the temperature within the oven increases the temperature and curves away from the plunger or valve stem 32 so that the valve will be allowed to assume a position corresponding to the desired temperature within the oven.

It will now be apparent that I have provided a convenient, inexpensive, easily installed, dependable and accurate temperature regulating control mechanism for controlling the temperature in ovens, in which the working parts are hidden from view and do not interfere with the operation of the stove. Further, I have provided a device which is easily adaptable for either a right or a left hand oven, and which is capable of accurate adjustment and calibration.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a gas range having an oven provided with a side wall, of a heat regulator comprising a thermal sensitive mechanism disposed within and extending parallel to the side wall of the oven, a selecting device connected with said thermal sensitive mechanism and disposed at the front of the range and hav ing its axis parallel to said side wall, and a control device suspended below said thermal sensitive mechanism.

2. The combination with a gas range having an oven provided with a side wall, of a heat regulator comprising a thermal sensitive mechanism extending through the side wall of the oven, and a rotatably selecting device connected with said thermal sensitive mechanism and extending Thus the temthrough the front of the range and with its axis spaced from and substantially parallel to the plane of said thermal sensitive mechanism.

3. In combination, a thermal sensitive device, a bracket therefor, a selecting device, a bracket for said selecting device, said selecting device being fixedin-angular position with respect to said second bracket, said brackets being joined together with one swingable into different angular operative positions with respect to the other, and means for holding said brackets against relative angular movement.

4. In combination, a thermal sensitive mechanism, a control device connected therewith, a selecting mechanism connected to said thermal sensitive mechanism and movable into different positions with respect thereto, and means for holding said selecting and thermal sensitive mechanisms against relative movement.

5. In combination, a thermal sensitive mechanism, a control device connected therewith, a selecting mechanism connected to said thermal sensitive mechanism and movable into different positions with respect thereto, and means for holding said selecting and thermal sensitive mechanisms against relative movement, said selectingmechanism being adapted for positioning in proximity to the front of a range with the thermal sensitive mechanism extending through an oven wall either to the left or to the right of the top burners of the range.

6. In a heat regulator, a fuel supply, controlling said fuel supply, planar thermally sensitive means associated with said control means and pivoted intermediate its ends, and a selecting device positioned in angular relation with respect to said thermally sensitive means and having its axis parallel to the plane thereof for operating said control means.

'7. In a heat regulator, a fuel supply, control means for said fuel supply, a thermally sensitive element engaging said control means, a selecting device, engagement means between said selecting device and said thermally sensitive element, said selecting device being adjustable to any radial position perpendicular to the axis of said engaging means.

8. Ina heat regulator, a fuel supply, control means for said fuel supply, a selecting device having an extending spindle, and a plunger extending normal to the axis of said spindle for transmitting motion of said selecting device, said selecting device being rotatable as a unit about the axis of said plunger.

9. In an oven, 9. heat regulator comprising a thermally sensitive element disposed within and parallel to the side wall of said oven, a selecting device including a spindle spaced outwardly of said side wall and parallel thereto, and abutting engagement means positioned normal to and between said selecting device and said thermally sensitive element.

10. In combination, a thermally sensitive member, a selecting device having engagement means in relatively free abutting contact with one end of said member, a plunger disposed in a plane substantially parallel to said selecting device and having free abutting contact with the other end of said member, a control device controlled by said plunger, and a. fulcrum having free abutting contact with said member between the ends thereof.

11. In a heat regulator, a housing, control means positioned in said housing, thermally sensitive means pivoted intermediate its ends on said means for housing and having one end contacting said control means, a second housing positioned in angular relation to and secured to said first housing, selecting means carried by said second housing and motion transmitting means between said selecting device and the other end oi said thermally sensitive means.

12. In a heat regulator, a housing, control means positioned in said housing, thermally sensitive means carried by said housing and contacting said control means, a second housing having bearing engagement in and secured to said first housing for angular adjustment with respect thereto, engagement means normal to said thermally sensitive element and positioned in said second housing, and a selecting device positioned in angular relation to said engagement means.

13. In a heat regulator, control means, a thermally sensitive element having abutting engagement with said control means, a selecting device for operating said control means, and motion transmitting means comprising a plunger abutting said thermally sensitive element and actuated by a pivoted rocker arm positioned between said selecting device and said plunger.

14. In a heat regulator, control means, athermally sensitive element engaging said control means, a selecting device, and motion transmitting means comprising an internally threaded sleeve, an externally threaded spindle actuated thereby and contacting said thermally sensitive element, and a geared connection between said selecting device and said sleeve.

15. In combination, a thermally sensitive member, a selecting device having a spindle, a motion transmitting member having abutting engagement with one end of said thermally sensitive member, a housing having a pair of bosses lying in the same plane and extending normal to each other for supporting said selecting device spindle andsaid motion transmitting member, and a pivoted rocker arm carried by said housing between said bosses and having abutting engagement between said selecting device spindle and said motion transmitting member.

16. In combination, a selecting device, a bracket therefor having a threaded boss for supporting said selecting device for rotation, a thermally sensitive member, a bracket for supporting said thermally sensitive member, a control device carried within said last named bracket, and means carried by said first named bracket for actuating said thermally sensitive member to operate said control device, one of said brackets being swingable into difierent angular positions with respect to the other bracket.

1'7. In a device of the class described, a thermally sensitive member, a selecting device, means for transmitting motion therebetween comprising an internally threaded sleeve, an externally threaded spindle actuated thereby and engaging said thermally sensitive member, a pin carried by said spindle for guiding its longitudinal movement, and a gear connection to said selecting device for rotating said sleeve.

18. In combination, a housing comprising a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, means in said housing for controlling fuel flow from said inlet to said outlet, plunger means carried by said housing'for actuating said control means, a thermally sensitive member iulcrumed on said housing and having abutting engagement at one end with said plunger means, a second housing secured in said first housing and adjustable to diil'erent angular positions with respect thereto, plunger means carried by said second housing engaging the opposite end of said thermally sensitive member in all positions of said housing, a selecting device extending normal to said last named plunger means, and means carried by said housing between said selecting device and said plunger means for transmitting motion therebetween.

19. In combination, in an oven, a housing having a control device with an extending plunger at the lower end of said housing, a bearing collar at the upper end of said housing, a thermally sensitive member pivotally mounted on said housing and having abutting engagement at one end with said extending plunger, a second housing having pivotal engagement within said bearing collar, a plunger extending through said collar" and supported by said second housing and engaging the other end of said thermally sensitive member, and selecting means acting through said plungers and said thermally sensitive member for imparting movement to said control device.

20. In combination, a housing having a control device therein and thermally sensitive means mounted thereon, a second housing having selecting means and motion transmittingmeans carried thereby, a bushing on said second housing, a bearing collar on said first housing, and. means for locking said bushing in predetermined position within said collar to provide angular adjustment of said second housing with respect to said first housing.

21. In combination, a housing having a control device therein, thermally sensitive means engaging said control device and pivotally mounted on said housing, a second housing having a pair of spaced arms with a central portion connecting said arms, said central portion having an extending boss secured in said first housing, selecting means having a spindle carried by said arms, and cooperating means carried by said boss and said spindle for transmitting movement of said selecting means to said thermally sensitive means.

22. In combination, a housing having a control device therein, thermally sensitive means engaging said control device and pivotally mounted on said housing, a second housing having a pair of spaced arms with a central portion connecting said arms, said central portion having an extending boss secured in said first housing, releasable means providing for angular adjustment of said second housing with respect to said first housing, selecting means having a spindle carried by said arms, and cooperating means carried by said boss for transmitting movement of said selecting means to said thermally sensitive means.

23. In combination, a control device having an extending stem, a pivotally mounted thermal! ly sensitive member having abutting engagement at one end with said stem, means having abutting engagement with the other end of said thermally sensitive member, a selecting spindle, means for transmitting movement 01' said spindle to said abutting engagement means, and spring means for maintaining said abutting engagement at both ends of said thermally sensitive member. I

24. In combination, a thermallyoperated device, a control device operated thereby, a selecting devicefor said thermally operated device, and supporting means for said selecting device operable tosupport said selecting device in different angular positions with respect to said thermally operated device. WARREN W. SACKE'II'. 

